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GERMANY 1890 to 1945 Flashcards

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1
Q

When did Kaiser Wilhelm II become Kaiser of Germany?

(eighteen eighty sahur)

A

1888

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2
Q

What was Kaiser Wilhelm II’s dream for Germany?

A

To make Germany as great as Britain.

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3
Q

By 1913, how did Germany’s industrial output compare to Britain’s in terms of iron, steel, and coal?

A

Germany was producing more iron and steel, and as much coal as Britain.

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4
Q

Which two industries did German companies dominate in Europe by 1913?

A

Electrical goods and chemicals.

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5
Q

Why were many German workers unhappy under the Kaiser’s rule?

A

They had low wages, poor working conditions, and expensive food.

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6
Q

What political party did many workers support?

A

The Social Democratic Party (SPD).

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7
Q

What did the SPD believe in?

A

Socialism – the idea that power and wealth should be shared equally.

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8
Q

Who became rich from Germany’s industrial success?

A

Landowners, factory owners, and noble army officers.

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9
Q

What was a major development in Germany’s military under the Kaiser?

A

Rapid expansion of the navy between 1889 and 1912.

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10
Q

How did Germany fund its growing navy and army?

A

Through higher taxes and borrowing money.

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11
Q

What was a long-term economic consequence of military expansion?

A

Germany went into long-term debt.

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12
Q

What were Germans surviving on due to severe food shortages?

A

Turnips and bread.

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13
Q

What deadly event killed thousands of Germans during this time?

A

A flu epidemic.

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14
Q

What happened on 28th October 1918 involving the German navy?

A

Sailors refused orders to attack British ships (a mutiny).

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15
Q

When did Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicate the throne?
(9/11)

A

9th November 1918.

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16
Q

Who became the new leader of Germany after the Kaiser abdicated?

A

Friedrich Ebert.

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17
Q

When did Germany officially surrender and WWI end?

(elvenvenven sahur)

A

11th November 1918.

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18
Q

What was the Spartacist Revolt?

A

A communist uprising in Berlin in early 1919, aiming to establish a Soviet-style government.

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19
Q

Why did the new German government meet in Weimar in 1919?

A

Berlin was unsafe due to recent violence, so they met in Weimar to draft a new constitution.

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20
Q

What was the Weimar Republic?

A

The democratic government established in Germany in 1919 after WWI.

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21
Q

Give two strengths of the Weimar Republic.

A

1) Equal rights for all Germans. 2) Proportional representation allowed a range of political views.

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22
Q

Give two weaknesses of the Weimar Republic.

A

1) Proportional representation made stable government difficult. 2) The president had too much power (Article 48).

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23
Q

What is Article 48 in the Weimar Constitution?

A

A rule allowing the president to rule by decree in an emergency, bypassing parliament.

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24
Q

What year did the Weimar Republic officially begin?

A

1919.

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25
What was Article 231 of the Treaty of Versailles?
The War Guilt Clause
26
How much did Germany have to pay in reparations?
£6.6 billion.
27
What were the military restrictions placed on Germany by the Treaty of Versailles?
Only 100,000 soldiers, 6 battleships, no submarines, no tanks, and no air force.
28
What was banned in terms of military recruitment?
Conscription (mandatory military service).
29
What did the German people think of the Treaty of Versailles?
They saw it as a ‘Diktat’ – an imposed, unfair peace treaty.
30
Why did French and Belgian soldiers invade the Ruhr in 1923?
Germany failed to pay reparations, so France and Belgium took goods instead.
31
How did the German government respond to the occupation of the Ruhr?
They told workers to go on strike and use passive resistance.
32
What were the consequences of the Ruhr strike for workers?
Over 100 workers were killed, and 15,000 were expelled from the area.
33
Which essential goods stopped being produced in the Ruhr during the strike?
Coal, iron, and steel – key resources for trade and income.
34
What form of entertainment became very popular during the Weimar period?
Cinema.
35
What was Berlin famous for during the Weimar era?
Its vibrant nightlife and nightclubs.
36
What famous anti-war novel was published during the Weimar period and how well did it sell?
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’, which sold half a million copies in 3 months.
37
Why was Weimar Germany considered a cultural golden age?
Because of its flourishing cinema, theatre, literature, and nightlife scenes.
38
How did America become wealthy after WWI?
By manufacturing goods and selling them to other countries.
39
What major event triggered the Great Depression in 1929?
The Wall Street Crash in October 1929.
40
Why did selling shares quickly lead to problems?
Shares were sold for less than they were bought for, causing massive debt.
41
What were the consequences of the Wall Street Crash for ordinary Americans?
Millions lost their jobs and fell into debt.
42
How did the Great Depression affect Germany?
businesses collapsed and unemployment soared.
43
Who did the Nazis blame for Germany's economic problems?
The Jews and the Treaty of Versailles.
44
Why were Germans unhappy with the Weimar government during the Depression?
Politicians couldn't agree on how to fix unemployment, and democracy seemed to be
45
How did political frustration help the Nazis?
People turned to extreme parties, like the Nazis, for strong leadership and solutions.
46
What made Hitler a powerful political figure?
He was charismatic, a powerful speaker, and gave people hope.
47
How did Hitler’s speeches help gain support?
He promised a better future, restored pride, and connected emotionally with the public.
48
Why did middle and upper-class Germans fear communism?
It threatened their wealth, status, and religious values.
49
How did Hitler take advantage of this fear of communists?
He promised to fight communism, gaining support from the middle and upper classes.
50
What did Hitler learn from the failure of the Munich Putsch?
He needed to gain power legally through elections.
51
Who was in charge of Nazi propaganda from 1928?
Joseph Goebbels
52
What propaganda methods did the Nazis use?
Posters, leaflets, radio, cinema, news reports, and rallies.
53
What was the Hitler Youth and why was it important?
An organisation to influence young Germans and build future Nazi support.
54
How did Nazi organisation help during the Depression?
They appeared the most disciplined and organised, making people believe they could restore order and greatness.
55
Why did farmers struggle during the Depression?
People weren't buying as much food, so prices dropped and they lost income.
56
How did the Nazis appeal to farmers?
They promised higher prices for crops, better living conditions, and higher social status.
57
What did the Nazis say about women's roles?
They promoted family life, morality, and self-discipline.
58
Why did the middle class support the Nazis?
Nazis promised higher wages and to protect them from the communist threat.
59
Why did young people support the Nazis?
They wanted to help build Germany’s future and find jobs in the army, motorways, and hospitals.
60
What did Hitler promise the upper class and big business owners?
Strong leadership, national pride, and freedom to run factories as they wished + protection from communism
61
Why did Hitler arrange an election in March 1933?
He believed propaganda and his position as chancellor would help him win a majority.
62
What happened on 27th February 1933?
The Reichstag Fire – blamed on a communist, giving Hitler an excuse to act.
63
How did Hitler use the Reichstag Fire to his advantage in the March 1933 election?
He banned communist campaigning, jailed 4000 communists, and increased Nazi votes.
64
What was the Enabling Act (23rd March 1933)?
A law that gave Hitler dictatorial powers to make laws without the Reichstag for 4 years.
65
How did Hitler get support for the Enabling Act?
He used fear of communism and pressured the Centre Party to vote in favour.
66
What happened on 7th April 1933?
Nazis took control of local government and police, formed the Gestapo, and opened the first concentration camp (Dachau).
67
What did Hitler do to trade unions?
He banned all trade unions to remove potential opposition from the workers.
68
What happened on 14th July 1933?
Hitler banned all political parties except the Nazi Party.
69
30th June 1934
Night of the Long Knives
70
How many people were killed during the Night of the Long Knives?
Around 400 people, including Ernst Röhm, leader of the SA.
71
What rights did women gain under the Weimar Constitution?
Women could vote from 1919, stand for election, and had equal rights in law.
72
How many women were elected to the Reichstag in 1919?
41 women were elected.
73
What new freedoms did women enjoy in Weimar Germany?
Greater independence, more jobs, fashion freedom (short hair, makeup), and access to education and professional careers.
74
What jobs were women allowed to do during the Weimar
Women worked as teachers, doctors, lawyers, in offices, and in shops—though many were still paid less than men.
75
What challenges did children face during the Weimar Republic?
: Poverty, malnutrition, and poor living conditions—especially during economic crises like hyperinflation and the Great Depression.
76
What education reforms were made for children in the Weimar era?
Education became more democratic and secular, with a focus on equality and critical thinking.
77
How did economic problems affect family life?
High unemployment and inflation caused stress at home, leading to rising tensions and pressure on women and children.
78
when did the depression start in Germany?
1929
79
What did Hitler do to Bauhaus?
He removed it as he disliked the simplistic form.
80
What type of art was popular in Nazi Germany?
Realism.
81
What types of films and plays were showed in Nazi Germany?
Pro-Nazi
82
Give an example of an assassination the during Weimar period? (burger)
Matthias Erzberger
83
What does 'putsch' mean?
rebellion
84
What was Avant-garde?
A popular form of art during the Weimar period
85
What was Bauhaus?
A popular form of design during the Weimar period. Was simplistic.
86
How many people were unemployed
13 million.
87
What were 2 ways Nazis reduced unemployment
1) Invisible unemployment 2) Some groups were no longer considered German (e.g. Jews,)
88
What percentage of Germans had radio?
70%
89
How many loudspeakers were put up in towns and cities?
6000
90
Who were the Freikorps
Ex-German soldiers
91
Who were the Spartikasts?
Communists inspired by the Russian revolution
92
Who killed the Spartikasts?
The Freikorps. The Spartikasts leader Rosa Luxemburg was killed
93
Who led the Freikorps?
Wolfgang Kapp
94
Example of German Artist?
Otto Dix
95
Who leaded Bauhaus?
Walter Gropius

HISTORY (2 decks)

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